Thunder Over the Tree House

The Bear and the Little Bunny spend everyday together, first meeting under the tree and then going on all sorts of adventure.
They even managed to build a nice tree house near the stream. There was a ladder on which the Bear climbed with his sturdy paws and then a lift that the bunny took to the top.

It was raining in the morning with a little thunder, but they never minded the rain when they met as there was a tree house now.
The Bear didn't see the bunny normally looking out for him from atop. He climbed up the tree house and called out to her and she replied back softly "yes.... I'm up here Mister Bear..."
"But where?" he asked
"... under the bed...."
Mister Bear chuckled and asked "Why is Little Bunny under the bed?"
"...scared..."
"Why for?"
"...thunder..."
Mister Bear looked under the bed and there she was, hiding in the corner, and he said with a smile "Little Bunny do not need to be afraid of the thunder. It is just a noise trying to scare you, but look at you! You made it up in the tree house even when it was thundering today."
She crawled nearer to where Mister Bear was holding out his paw and then hopped in his paw.
She felt safe and he was happy.

"Does Mister Bear still remember how we built this tree house?" the little bunny asked.
Mr Bear smiled and said "Yes, I do little one. It began with a twig that you gave me. But Little Bunny should know that I also saw a word on that twig."
"Wow, really Mister Bear? What was the word?" the little bunny asked with surprise.
"Hope" the Bear said and the Little Bunny smiled.
"Mister Bear is always so funny!"
Mister Bear remained silent and smiled for he knew life was good with Little Bunny.
"There is hope in so many ways Little Bunny. That little twig made way for a good tree house. Your gesture inspired great things and although the tree house is mostly made of planks and sturdy wood, it could not have been made without the little twig"

The Little Bunny hugged the bear and said "Mister Bear should please promise to remain my friend!" and she hugged him tighter and crying a little.
Mister Bear was confused and asked "why is the Little Bunny crying?"
She whimpered out words "B-Because... people close to me always get hurt and I do not wish that upon Mister Bear"
The Bear picked up the bunny in both paws and wiped her tears away.
"Little Bunny shouldn't be scared... a promise was made long before Little Bunny even asked. I will always be here" and he touched her nose and sat her down again on the tree house floor next to him and said "You are always safe with me".

The thunder struck again and she hopped under his arm and he held her close.
"You will be safe Little One."
The Little Bunny tried to crawl deeper into his fur and she said "Good night, Mister Bear" and gave him a tight snuggly hug.
"Sleep well Little Bunny" he said with a peaceful smile.

After Mister Bear touched Little Bunny's nose she tucked her head in silently.

Mister Bear didn't know that bunnies could purr....